Biscuit factory staff ‘must ask to visit the loo’

FURIOUS workers at a biscuit factory claim they now need permission to go to the toilet.

PUBLISHED: 00:17, Wed, Aug 21, 2013

Forklift truck drivers at the factory in Aintree now have set toilet breaks (PIC POSED BY MODEL)

Staff at United Biscuits, which makes well-known brands such as Jacob’s Crackers, Penguin and McVitie’s, say they have been given set times for loo breaks.

It is understood the rules were introduced by the acting general manager and affect staff who drive forklift trucks at the factory in Aintree, Liverpool. The breaks are said to be staggered through the day.

Members of the GMB union met on Sunday to discuss a number of issues that have arisen at the plant, which employs 800 people.

Unions fear the company also wants to check up on staff when they are off ill. A source said: “Presumably with the sick days, they want to make sure when we’re ill we aren’t actually off skydiving or water-skiing or something. It’s not on.

United Biscuits makes well-known brands such as Jacob's Crackers, Penguin and McVitie's

here are lads who have been here for years, grown men, and they have to be told when they can go to the toilet?

A source

“Management are not doctors and they are not likely to be doing it just because they care.

“And the toilet thing is just going too far. There are lads who have been here for years, grown men, and they have to be told when they can go to the toilet? It's out of order.”

GMB officer Sue Morgan said: “There are some issues afoot that suffice to say our members are not happy about.”

A United Biscuits spokesman said it did not comment on “internal matters”.